Anthem of the Seas
Anthem of the Seas is the second in the series of Quantum-class ships that Royal Caribbean has ordered out of a total of 5. She was built in the Meyer Werft river-locked shipyard in Papenburg and floated out down the River Ems. She is identical to her sister ship Quantum of the Seas apart from a few features, like her mascot and a few shops in the Royal Esplanade. The restaurants, staterooms and entertainment options are identical.
Anthem of the Seas contains numerous cruise-ship firsts which mirror her sister Quantum of the Seas.
- Northstar – A 92m high observation ride in a glass pod above the ship for small groups.
- Bionic Bar – A bar staffed entirely by robots. You simply choose a pre-determined cocktail or make your own via a tablet menu and the robot mixes your drink for you. The bionic bar is a spectacle in itself, even with non-drinkers. Lots of people find the automation and swiftness mesmerising, with many taking photos and filming the robots creating the drinks. One bonus, they don’t need a tip!
- RipCord by iFLY – An indoor (but based outside) skydiving simulator.
- Virtual balconies – based on an idea that Disney used on their ships previously (a virtual porthole), Royal Caribbean expanded on this by having full floor to ceiling tv’s fitted against one wall of the stateroom, showing live footage day and night as if you had a balcony. A simple remote control allows you to “turn off” the outside if you wish!
The ship has 20 different restaurants and eateries throughout the ship, as well as the usual room service. There is no main formal dining room like other cruise ships, and instead guests reserve tables at one of the venues on the ship each evening. There is a system in place for guests to move to a different restaurant each evening with the same table mates and waiters. Each venue has the same menu each evening, allowing guests to enjoy a variation of food across the ship. Jamie’s Italian (of fame Jamie Oliver) has a branded restaurant and is the second one of the chain to be based at sea (the first one was Quantum of the Seas)
